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Disbursement

Financial aid is generally disbursed to the student’s billing account two weeks prior to the first day of class each semester, providing that the student has both filed the FAFSA and applied for loans by the associated priority deadlines. Financial aid is credited to the student’s billing account and applied against university charges. 

Student Aid Report (SAR)

Excess Financial Aid Funds
If there are excess financial aid funds after the university charges are paid in full, a refund will be generated through the Bursar’s Office that can be used to pay for other costs associated with your education.  Once the refund is indicated on the billing account, the refund, in the form of a state check, is mailed to the student’s permanent address on file with the Registrar’s Office in approximately three weeks time.  

When is Aid Disbursed?

When Is Aid Disbursed?
Aid disbursements begin two weeks before the first day of classes in an effort to distribute funds to a student’s billing account expeditiously. Further crediting of aid and subsequent refunds are processed throughout the semester.  There are a variety of circumstances that determine the timing of these disbursements.  These include:

  • Date FAFSA is completed
  • Date of loan application and completion of all related documents
  • Timely submission of additional requested documents
  • Status less than full-time (12 credits undergraduate, 9 credits graduate)*

*All financial aid awards are initially based on full-time enrollment.  If a student enrolls for less than full-time status award packages must be reviewed after the add/drop deadline.  Students who are only receiving Federal Stafford, Parent Plus or Grad Plus Loans will receive the funds as long as they are registered at least half time (six credits).

How is Aid Disbursed?

How Is Aid Disbursed?
Unless otherwise noted, all financial aid awarded by our office is applied directly to a student’s billing account in two installments. One half of the total award for the year is applied each semester and is credited toward the charges on the student’s bill (tuition and fees, university housing charges and meal plan, and/or other university charges.) Any transaction, by which financial aid exceeds university charges for the semester, will generate a refund through the Bursar’s Office.